Frank P. Vail was born in 1866 in Madison, Indiana,and died in 1956 in Dayton Ohio. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Vail and for many years was in partnership with his brother, Harry L. Vail, in the operation of the Vail Furniture Store...

For 75 cents in advance or a dollar at the door, people at Bass Lake could listen to Maurie Sherman and His Radio Orchestra. During the 1920s and 30s, Maurie Sherman was a well-known leader of a Chicago band who appeared often at the College Inn...

This photo is a publicity photograph, popular in the early 1900s. The Black Diamonds were a big band contracted by the Brunswick Recording Company. The Crytal Ball Room where they were contracted in Bass Lake was built c.1925 and was a popular...

Female band leaders were not common in the first quarter of the 1900s, but Bobbie Grice and her Brick Tops had a big following nation-wide. A big part of that was her band's musical talent and another part was, of course, the unique fact that they...

This poster advertising Dan Russo and his Brunswick Orchestra is just one of the many entertainers who visited Bass Lake at the Crystal Ball Room. Russo and the Orioles were contracted with Brunswick Records Studio. As you can see from the...

During the 1920s and 30s, Maurie Sherman was a well-known leader of a Chicago band who appeared often at the College Inn of the Hotel Sherman (no relation) . Maurie gained much popularity via his frequent remote radio broadcasts, both local and...

This Poster states that the Crystal Ball Room is under new management and invites people to dance and stay young with Billy Roy and his Cimeron Orchestra, the band without a home. Music sublime awaits you. The Crystal Ball Room changed hands many...

This poster is advertising the 12 Creoles, a big band popular in the 1920s that played often at the Savoy in Chicago. The Crytal Ball Room, built c.1925 at the south end of Bass Lake, was a popular place through the 1960's. It featured big bands...

Don Redman, born in 1900, was an American jazz musician, arranger, and composer. His father was a music teacher and his mother was a singer. He began playing the trumpet at 3 and joined his first band at 6. By age 12 he was proficient on all wind...

The 20th century saw the emergence of Ragtime and Jazz dance bands, which evolved into swing and big band ensembles through the l930s. ‘40s, and '50s. Memorable
bands included the Russell Amith Orchestra, Clay Military Band, Reginald Duvalle...

During the 1920s and 30s, Maurie Sherman was a well-known leader of a Chicago band who appeared often at the College Inn of the Hotel Sherman (no relation) . Maurie gained much popularity via his frequent remote radio broadcasts, both local and...

The Crytal Ball Room, built c.1925 at the south end of Bass Lake, was a popular place through the 1960's. It featured big bands and dancing, roller skating and other events, such as prize fights. Young men bought tickets for 10 cents for the...